Rail still exists in a lot of the US, and around the world. It’s also less expensive to build and maintain new rail compared to highway lanes. And that’s before you include the externalities like deaths from brake dust, pollution from rubber dust, increased traffic, traffic fatalities, road delays, and so on.
Trains make more sense for long haul freight generally. Long haul trucking exists because governments heavily subsidize the infrastructure they run on.
The future is rarely people doing what makes sense.
I wonder if pantograph trucks will be a widespread strategy to electrify long haul trucking?
Not a chance. Trains make infinitely more sense at that point.
So, trains between major cities, and short haul trucking to small cities and within cities? Sounds like a reasonable plan.
Do we have enough trains and tracks to replace the current global long haul trucking fleet, or will we need to build more?
Rail still exists in a lot of the US, and around the world. It’s also less expensive to build and maintain new rail compared to highway lanes. And that’s before you include the externalities like deaths from brake dust, pollution from rubber dust, increased traffic, traffic fatalities, road delays, and so on.
Trains make more sense for long haul freight generally. Long haul trucking exists because governments heavily subsidize the infrastructure they run on.
The future is rarely people doing what makes sense.
That’s why we’re still warming the planet at a damning rate, yes.
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pantograph trucks
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